Mr. Larry Donn Conner was born on December 16, 1951, in Dallas, Texas to Mr. Calvin and Doris Conner. After a faithful and fruitful life, he peacefully and quietly made his transition to God’s eternal rest in his home on June 7, 2024, in Huntsville, Alabama.
He was united in holy matrimony to Phyllis Ann Rhodes, on August 20, 1977. From this union, two sons were born, Elliot and Evan.
He was baptized at Dallas West Church of Christ, as a young man. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, receiving many medals and awards. He was also a junior navy seal, and he was recognized as the first Boy of the Year for the Boys Club of America, West Dallas branch.
Larry attended high school at L. G. Pinkston High School in Dallas, Texas where he excelled academically. During his high school years, he was involved in several extracurricular activities such as football, etc.
After graduation, Larry enrolled in Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas where he received a B.S. in Political Science in 1974. While attending Jarvis Christian, Larry excelled in his studies as he made the Dean’s List every year. On November 19, 1971, Larry was one of eight young men who “Crossed the Burning Sands of Omega’’ and Jarvis Christian College birthed “Phi Beta” Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He will always be remembered in the history of Omega Phi Psi at Jarvis Christian College. In 1973 to further demonstrate his leadership skills, Larry was named “Most Dependable” at Jarvis Christian.
After graduation, Larry was afforded the opportunity to accept a much sought after position in the Procurement Office at U. S. Army Missile Command at Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. After a successful career, he retired after having worked thirty years. While employed at Redstone, Larry received countless citations regarding his outstanding performance and leadership.
Larry was a member of Farris Drive Church of Christ. Being a devout theologian and Christian, Larry began serving the church in every possible way. He cooked for several church functions; he taught Bible Study classes; he was a member of the Farris Darive Singers, and he became a counselor and mentor to many. In later years he joined the Blue Springs Road Church of Christ.
Larry had several hobbies (fishing, photography, cooking out on the grill or using a smoker, and visiting thrift stores, etc.) that he thoroughly enjoyed in his travels around Alabama as well as in other cities and states. He was an avid fisherman and could be found visiting numerous bait and tackle stores and fishing spots. When visiting his grandsons in South Carolina, the visit wasn’t complete until he took them fishing with Papa; teaching them how to bait the hook and throw the line in the water the correct way. He would very seldom be seen without his camera equipment and gear. Larry loved cooking barbeque for family and friends on grills and smokers. If the equipment he needed wasn’t readily available, he would purchase the equipment just so he could carry out his plan. Around the Huntsville area and traveling to South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas, Larry became familiar with consignment store owners as he stopped in to browse and purchase wares from their businesses.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Ann Rhodes Conner; his father, Calvin Conner; and brother, Glenn Earl Conner. He is survived by his sons, Elliot (Jamie) Irmo, South Carolina; and Evan (Lynn) Charlotte, North Carolina; mother, Doris Conner-Fisher Hawkins, Texas; sister, Annette Conner-Hall, Hawkins, Texas; grandsons, Shawn Michael and Jalen Anthony; granddaughter, Emery Ann; niece, Sharonda Lynn (Milton); nephew, Christopher Cameron; grand-nieces, Mya Marshondria, Janiea Annette, and Preshyous Fay; grandnephew, M.J.; and a whole host of family and friends.
Funeral service will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Blue Spring Road Church of Christ (2150 Blue Spring Road NW, Huntsville, AL 35810) with Dr. Floyd Rodgers officiating. Interment will be in the Burr Hill Cemetery in Cottageville, SC on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Mr. Conner will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Conner family will receive guests from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Royal Chapel of Memories. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Memorial Service will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
Public viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2024 and 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Royal Funeral Home.
